True Crime Chronicles: Polk County murderer from 2020 disappearance and killing will be parole eligible in 2028

Erin "Pepper" lawrence

In April 2020, Erin "Pepper" Lawrence, a 40-year-old woman from Hatton, Arkansas, vanished from the small town of Cove in Polk County. Her disappearance sparked a two-year investigation that ended with the discovery of her remains in a shallow grave and the conviction of her killer, Jerry Hopper.

This true crime article recounts the case, from Lawrence’s life to the legal resolution, based on sheriff’s reports and court records.The Victim: Erin "Pepper" LawrenceErin Lawrence, known as "Pepper," was a 40-year-old with sandy brown hair, brown eyes, and tattoos including a unicorn, a panther, and the phrase "Country girl can survive."

A vresident of rural Polk County, she lived in a close-knit but struggling community where drug issues were prevalent.

Last seen in Cove on April 2, 2020, her disappearance prompted a missing persons report and a multi-state investigation involving over 100 interviews. Her ties to local drug circles complicated the case, with reluctant witnesses hindering progress.

Jerry Hopper, 46, was a Cove resident with a criminal record, including drug-related offenses. Already incarcerated in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for unrelated charges, Hopper became the prime suspect in Lawrence’s case.

His connection to her likely stemmed from shared involvement in Polk County’s drug scene, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Lawrence was murdered on April 2, 2020, and her body was dumped the next day in a wooded area west of Hatfield. The remote location concealed the crime for over two years.

On August 8, 2022, an inmate at the Polk County Detention Center led deputies to a shallow grave, where skeletal remains were recovered. The Arkansas State Crime Lab confirmed on September 6, 2022, that they belonged to Lawrence.

The remains’ condition prevented determining the exact cause of death.The Investigation and ChargesThe Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and the 18th West Drug Task Force worked the case, navigating challenges like uncooperative witnesses.

On January 31, 2023, Hopper was arrested on felony warrants for second-degree murder, kidnapping, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and using a communication device in a felony. He was transported from state custody to Polk County for arraignment, On February 5, Hopper pleaded not guilty in Polk County Circuit Court.

However, on February 13, he changed his plea to guilty for second-degree murder as part of a deal that dismissed the other charges Despite his previous conviction and a 20 year sentence i the death of Larence, Hopper has a paroleeligiblee date of February 7, 2028.

Prosecuting Attorney Debra Buschman cited evidentiary challenges, including the lack of a clear cause of death, as a reason for the plea. Hopper was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, where he remains as of September 2025.

The case exposed the dangers of rural drug networks and the challenges of policing small communities. Sheriff Scott Sawyer praised his team’s persistence, while Lawrence’s family found some solace in the sentence, though it couldn’t undo their loss.

The woods of Hatfield hold the grim memory of Erin’s fate, but her case underscores the importance of justice in even the most isolated places.